Face guard



Nov. 2, 1943. R. A. POWELL FACE GUARD Filed Dec. 22, 1939 l'atontd Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,333,336 FACE GUARD Robert A. Powell, Miami, Fla.

Application December 22, 1939, Serial No. 310,651

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in face guards for use more particularly under water.

The invention is designed with the particular purpose in view of providing an efiicient device of this character for protecting the eyes and nose in underwater operations, such as spearing fish, scouting for coral, shells, and the like, and which is also adapted for use as a diving mask for emergency work, such as clearing fouled rudders or propellers, of motor boats.

Other, and subordinate, objects are also comprehended by my invention, all of which together with the precise nature of my improvement, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawing:

Figure l is a view in perspective illustrating a preferred embodiment of my improved guard attached to the head,

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation,

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 4 is a view in top plan.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, the guard of my invention, in its preferred form, comprises a substantially oval, transversely fiat frame I of any suitable material that is light, strong and waterproof, rubber being preferably used of medium hardness and which is slightly compressible. The frame I is designed to be disposed edgewise against the face of the wearer and is of the dimensions and contour to fit lengthwise across the face and encompass the eyes and nose with its top edge portion extending across the forehead and its bottom edge portion extending across the face between the nostrils and the mouth. The top edge portion of the frame is concave, as indicated at 2, also the bottoni' edge, as indicated at 3, to conform to the contour of the face, the sides being arcuately convex to fit the temples and cheek of the face, as indicated at 4, and the bottom edge being provided with a suitably shaped notch 5 for fitting across the upper lip. Preferably the described inner edge of the frame I is formed by a band 6 of soft rubber, or any other suitable material which is readily compressible against the face to form a water-tight seal with comfort to the wearer.

The frame I hasfltted therein, adjacent its front edge, an oval sight glass 1 of plate form designed to obviate double image sighting such as is commonly experienced under water.

The sight glass i is clamped in the frame I by means of a pair of curved, resilient bars 3 extending partway around the top and bottom of the frame I in opposed relation and in plane of the glass I, said bars 8 having end, laterally extending ears 9 spaced apart in pairs at opposite sides of the frame I and by means of which and screws I0 said bars are detachably secured to the frame in clamping relation thereto and to said glass I.

An elastic band II, of any suitable waterproof material and having its ends attached to said screws II), as at I2, is provided for securing the frame I to the face in proper position.

As will be manifest, the guard of my invention positively protects the eyes under water and provides for a limited supply of air under water permitting nose breathing for a space of time sufl'icient for such scouting activities and brief underwater repairs as those for which it was intended. Also, the device is inexpensive to manufacture, may be worn with comfort and safety, and is easily carried on the head with the frame I turned clear of the face when not in use.

If desired, the frame I may be equipped for the attachment thereto of an air line, not shown, for introducing air from the surface into said frame.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

l. A guard for protecting the eyes and nose of the wearer under water comprising a substantially oval, transversely fiat frame of waterproof material adapted to be disposed edgewise against the face and having an inner face contacting edge of compressible material for conforming to the contour of the face and forming a watertight seal, said frame being constructed and arranged to encompass the eyes and nose of the wearer and to fit between the nostrils and mouth so as to leave the latter exposed, an oval sight glass of plate form fitted into the frame adjacent the outer edge of the latter, means to detachably secure said glass in said frame in sealed position therein, and an elastic head band for securing the frame to the face having its ends connected to the frame at opposite sides thereof, said means comprisin a pair of resilient clamping bars extending partway around the frame at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, in Y opposed relation and adjacent to the front edge 2. A guard forprotecting the eyes and nose of 10 the wearer under water comprising a substantially oval transverselyflat frame of waterproof material adapted to be disposed edgewise against the face and having an inner edge formed with arcuate portions to conform with the contour of 15 the face of the wearer, said frame being constructed and arranged to encompass the eyes and nose of the wearer and to fit between the nostrils and mouth so as to leave the latter exposed, an oval sight glass of plate form fitted into the frame adjacent the outer edge of the latter, means to detachably secure said glass in said frame in sealed position therein. and an elastic head band for securing the frame to the face having its ends connected to the frame at opposite sides thereof. said means comprlsingra pair of resilient clamping bars extending partway around the frame at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, in oppond relation and ad- Jacent to the front edge of the frame and provid- I ed with lateral end ears arranged in pairs at opposite sides of said frame, and screws securing the ears of each pair together.

ROBERT A. POWELL. 

